[Choir] covid thoughts and going forward

[Donia Prince]

Hi everyone,

I know we are all rightly unsettled by this small covid outbreak among
us--concerned for those who have contracted it and wondering what it means
for us going forward.  I'll offer my overall point of view, which is
generally shared by the church leadership, put out my thoughts about how we
might proceed in the coming weeks, and finally reiterate choir covid
policies.

There are those who feel that covid should now be treated like the
flu, with variants getting less severe, effective medications available,
and some level of societal immunity through vaccines and exposure.  While
it seems to be headed in that direction, most of the scientific and medical
community doesn't feel we are there quite yet.  This is in part because
there is too much we still don't understand, eg about long covid.  So some
continued extra caution is called for.   Caution, but not alarm.

Hopefully we have reached the limit of this outbreak.  But we won't know
for sure for another few days or a week, in case someone at our Thursday
gathering had covid and was asymptomatic. This is definitely possible,
since this outbreak likely resulted from one or two sources who were not
only asymptomatic but had also tested negative that day.   There is also a
general post-holiday surge going on.

*Going Forward*
To give everything time to settle, and for general peace of mind, we won't
have a regular choir rehearsal this week.

However, I will ask for volunteers, up to 2 on a part, who would like to
prepare "Strength of Stillness" for next Sunday's service.  Those who
participate would come to a rehearsal for only that piece on Thursday.
*For those who might wish to do this, read on:  *
-You need to feel comfortable holding your own on a part
-In order to *be sure* we don't inadvertently become part of a further
outbreak:
     -We will mask and/or distance at the rehearsal for this small group.
     -This small group will each test on Thursday, either Friday or
Saturday, and Sunday (tests available from the church if you need them.)
We will limit the number of participants both to minimize any possible
risk, and just for the balance of the piece, as we won't have more than 1
or 2 people available for some of the lower parts. (I can sing the tenor
part.)
Let me know (please reply just to me, not "reply all") if you would like to
do this.  If we don't have enough people to do this we'll just get a guest
musician for Sunday.

*Rehearsals resume Jan 12th*
At this point we will plan to resume regular rehearsals on the 12th, but at
least for the Jan 12th rehearsal will require masks.  This is for an extra
precaution until we know better how any post-holiday surge is developing.

*I want to emphasize **that until now we have been safe, and that **our
outbreak came from an unusual confluence of circumstances:  unpredictable,
asymptomatic transmission combined with sustained close contact while
singing with "performance" voice (considerably more aerosol transmission
than more tentative rehearsal voices). In general I feel that our
rehearsals are safe, and our singing in regular services is so short it's
not much of a concern.  Any individual who has more concern should
definitely continue to wear a mask.  Along with the ventilation system and
our choir vaccine requirement, wearing a high-quality mask should make any
remaining risk VERY low.  But I also understand if anyone simply chooses
not to participate for a while.*

*Covid Protocols/Policy*
The choir continues to have a vaccination requirement, with a testing
option.  We have not been "policing" this this year, but if you have not
gotten your most recent boosters, please do!   Now is a good time to be
sure we are protecting ourselves and each other as much as possible!  If
you have questions or concerns about your situation, let me know and we can
discuss it.
If you have covid, cold or flu symptoms, don't come to choir.  If you are
asymptomatic but have ANY question or concern about possible exposure,
please wear a mask and distance yourself during rehearsal.
***Those who have had covid, please test yourself before the first
rehearsal you return to, even if you are symptom free and have followed the
isolation guidelines.  And please continue to wear a mask for the first
rehearsal you attend after you have tested negative.***

I welcome any comments or concerns about any of this.
Be well, everyone.  You are all dear to me.

Donia
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